Napier City – 2010 Statistical Profile
General population, economic, employment, housing and education statistics
General
Napier City is a geographically small territorial authority situated on the coast of Hawke
Bay on the eastern side of the North Island. Bounded to the east by ocean, Napier has
only one territorial authority neighbour – Hastings District, which surrounds the city to
the north, south and west.
Population
2006 – The 2006 Population Census recorded a resident population of 55,360 in Napier
City – a 3.2% increase on the 2001 usually-resident total. While this was smaller growth
than the 7.8% national increase, it followed a very small 0.4% increase in population in
the city between the 1996 and 2001 censuses.
Usually-resident population of Napier City area units,
1996, 2001 and 2006
1996
2001
2006
Greenmeadows
5,190
5,832
6,207
Taradale South
4,725
4,794
5,370
Taradale North
4,836
5,001
5,019
Marewa
4,545
4,416
4,611
Onekawa South
4,131
4,152
4,371
Maraenui
3,567
3,468
3,537
Pirimai
3,387
3,330
3,468
Hospital Hill
2,907
2,871
2,793
Bluff Hill
2,862
2,721
2,694
Tamatea South
2,841
2,700
2,634
Tamatea North
2,664
2,577
2,481
Mclean Park
2,409
2,361
2,418
Nelson Park
2,457
2,382
2,361
Bay View
1,713
1,758
1,773
Onekawa Central
1,263
1,254
1,245
Meeanee
1,104
1,164
1,197
Westshore
1,146
1,098
1,071
Ahuriri
723
744
858
Poraiti
630
612
774
Awatoto
303
300
357
66
126
111
53,463
53,661
55,359
Onekawa West
Total
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The 21 area units making up Napier City are listed above in numerical order, along with
their 1996 and 2001 usually-resident totals. In 2006, the five most populous area units
contained 46% of the city’s population. Greenmeadows continued to have the largest
number of residents, increasing its population to around 6,210. That was followed by the
two Taradale area units, with Taradale South on 5,370 overtaking its neighbour, Taradale
North (5,020). Marewa and Onekawa South were next on the list with 4,610 and 4,370
residents respectively. Between 2001 and 2006, the largest numerical growth occurred in
Taradale South, with almost 580 additional residents. Greenmeadows grew by 375, and
Onekawa South and Marewa followed, with an extra 220 and almost 200 respectively.
Proportionately, the largest increases were recorded in smaller area units: Poraiti (26%
growth), Awatoto (19%) and Ahuriri (15%).
2009 – The latest estimate from Statistics New Zealand is that in mid-2009, the resident
population of Napier City stood at 57,200.
2011, 2021 and 2031 - Statistics New Zealand projects that Napier’s population will
increase to 57,700 by 2011 and 58,300 by 2021. A drop is projected in 2031, back to
57,700.1
Sex
In 2006, females made up 52% of Napier City’s population, outnumbering males by
around 2,320. Boys outnumbered girls in all age groups under 15, but at all other ages
females were in the majority. A large difference was recorded among people in their 30s
(500 more women than men). However, the largest difference occurred among the city’s
oldest residents with women aged 80 years and over outnumbering their male
counterparts by around 590.
Ethnic diversity
Napier’s population is less ethnically diverse than the country as a whole. At the 2006
Census, 72% of the city’s residents identified as “European” – a little above the 68%
nationally. In addition, the proportion of people specifying “New Zealander” as their
ethnic group was larger than average (14% compared with 11% nationwide).
Ethnic group (excluding "European" and "New Zealander"), 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of
resident population
20
All New Zealand
18
Napier City
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Māori
Asian
Pacific Peoples
Ethnic group
1
These population projections assume medium rates of fertility, mortality and migration.
Other
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Compared with their national proportion, Māori had a slightly higher-than-average
representation in Napier (18% compared with 15%). Asian and Pacific peoples were far
less well represented, each making up 3% of the city’s population compared with 9% and
7% respectively across New Zealand.2 Other smaller ethnic groups were present in the
city at around one-half their national level of 1%.
Napier’s youth population is more ethnically diverse than the city as a whole. More than
one-quarter (28%) of 12-14 year-olds, and 26% of 15-19 and 20-24 year-olds identified
as Māori at the 2006 Census. And 4% of each age group identified with Pacific ethnic
groups, slightly above the 3% city wide.
Overseas born
In 2006, just 14% of Napier’s residents were overseas born compared with 23%
nationally. New Zealand’s most common overseas birthplace – the UK and Ireland –
accounted for 7% of the city’s residents, the same as nationally. Asia and the Pacific
Islands were the most under-represented overseas birthplace (2% and 1% of residents
respectively compared with 7% and 4% nationally).
Age groups
Napier has an older population than the country as a whole, with a median age of 38
years in 2006 compared with 35 across New Zealand. This difference is obvious in the
age distribution of the city’s population compared with the national pattern. At the 2006
Census, age groups under 45 years were under-represented in the city while people aged
45 and over made up larger proportions of the population than nationally.
Age distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of
resident population
25
All New Zealand
Napier City
20
15
10
5
0
0-14
15-29
30-44
45-59
60-74
75+
Age group (years)
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
2
Percentages total more than 100 because an individual can identify with more than one ethnic group and
all are counted.
The largest differences were experienced in the 15-29 age group – 18% in the city
compared with 20% nationally – and among those over 60. People aged 60-74 years
made up 13% of the city’s population (11% nationally), while Napier’s oldest residents
aged 75 years and over accounted for 8% (6% nationwide).
The 2006 Census recorded around 11,720 children under the age of 15 years living in
Napier City:
 3.650 children under 5 years
 3,820 aged 5 - 9, and
 4,250 aged 10 - 14.
Families
In 2006, Napier City was home to around 15,130 families3 living in private dwellings, of
which around 7,140 (47%) contained dependent children.
Families by type, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of families
45
All New Zealand
40
Napier City
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Couple Without Children
Couple With Child(ren)
One Parent With Child(ren)
Family type
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Couples without children were the most numerous family type in the city, at least partly
as a result of the older age structure of the population. At 6,400 families, they made up
42% of the total, a slightly larger proportion than the 40% nationally. Greenmeadows
contained the largest number of this type of family (915), Taradale South was home to
680 and Taradale North had almost as many (675). Another six area units (Marewa,
Hospital Hill, Pirimai, Onekawa South, Bluff Hill and Tamatea South) were home to
between 300 and 400 couples without children.
Couples with children numbered a little over 5,500 (including 4,600 with dependent
children). They made up 36% of all families in the city – a lower proportion than the 42%
nationwide. Couples with children were also most numerous in Greenmeadows (670).
In the Census, a family is defined by the presence, in one household, of a “family nucleus” (a couple, or
parent(s) and child(ren)). Child dependency is not a component of the definition. This means that a 90 yearold woman living with her 60 year-old daughter, who does not have children of her own in the same
household, would be classified as “one parent with children”.
3
Taradale North was home to almost 600 while Taradale South had around 560. Marewa,
Pirimai, Onekawa South and Maraenui each had between 300 and 400 couples with
children.
Sole-parent families made up 21% of Napier’s families (18% nationwide). In 2006, they
numbered 3,230 families (including around 2,520 with dependent children). Napier’s
sole-parent families were most likely to live in Marewa (410), Maraenui (390), Onekawa
South (360), Greenmeadows and Taradale South (240 each), and Pirimai (220).
Families by type and main area units, 2006:
Napier City
Area unit
Bay View
One parent w ith child(ren)
Couple w ith child(ren)
Nelson Park
Couple w ithout children
Mclean Park
Tamatea North
Tamatea South
Bluff Hill
Hospital Hill
Maraenui
Onekaw a South
Pirimai
Marew a
Taradale South
Taradale North
Greenmeadow s
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
Number of families
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Statistics New Zealand projects the number of couples without children in Napier City to
increase steadily, reaching 7,500 in 2011, 8,500 by 2021 and 9,000 by 2031. At that
stage, couples without children are likely to make up 55% of Napier families. In contrast,
two-parent families are projected to decrease in number, from 5,400 in 2011 to 4,500 by
2021 and 3,800 by 2031. One-parent families are expected to stay quite static in number
(3,600 in 2011 and 3,700 in both 2021 and 2031).
Household composition
In 2006, there were 21,450 private households in Napier City. The distribution of
household types differed a little from nationally. Two-thirds (67%) were one-family
households and 26% contained just one person. Around 5% were ‘other multi-person
households’ (the majority of which would be flats containing unrelated people), and the
final 2% were multi-family households.
Economic Situation
Socio-economic deprivation
The NZDep2006 index of deprivation4 shows that, overall, Napier City is more socioeconomically deprived than New Zealand as a whole. Across the country, roughly equal
numbers of people live in areas at each of the 10 levels of deprivation. This means that at
the time of the last Census, 50% of the New Zealand population lived in decile 1 to 5
areas (the less deprived areas in the country). At that time, areas in those deciles
contained 42% of Napier City’s population.
The profile below shows an under-representation of Napier’s population at the left-hand
(least deprived) end of the deprivation scale and an over-representation towards the right.
In 2006, 10% of the city’s population lived in areas considered among the 10% least
deprived in the country (decile 1). However, just 22% lived in areas considered to be in
deciles 2 to 4. There was a clustering of the city’s population in decile 6 (14%) and decile
7 (12%). However, just 8% of Napier’s residents were judged to live in decile 9 areas in
2006. An above-average 13% lived in areas assessed as decile 10 (ie among the 10%
most socio-economically deprived in the country).
NZDep profile of Napier City, 2006
Number of people
9,000
7,824
8,000
7,350
7,000
6,663
5,934
6,000
5,586
5,304
5,000
4,608
3,843
4,000
4,506
3,750
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Decile of deprivation
Source: NZDep 2006 Index of Deprivation
4
Salmond C, Crampton P, Atkinson J, NZDep 2006 Index of Deprivation. The NZDep2006 index of
deprivation was created from data from the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings. The index describes
the deprivation experienced by groups of people in small areas. Nine deprivation variables were used in the
construction of the index, reflecting eight dimensions of deprivation. The variables used were the
proportions of people: aged 18-64 receiving a means-tested benefit; living in households with income
below an income threshold adjusted for household size; not living in own home; aged less than 65 living in
a single-parent family; aged 18-64 unemployed; aged 18-64 without any qualifications; living in
households below a bedroom occupancy threshold adjusted for household size; with no access to a
telephone; and with no access to a car.
Although the process of averaging can mask some substantial variation in deprivation
among small areas, it can be useful to look at average deprivation statistics for census
area units. In Napier City, two area units (Onekawa South and Maraenui) had an average
deprivation score of 10, putting them among the 10% most deprived areas in New
Zealand. The Marewa area unit had an average deprivation score of 9, while Tamatea
North, Mclean Park and Nelson Park all averaged 8. At the other end of the scale, Poraiti
was the only one of the city’s 21 area units to average out as decile 1 (among the 10%
least socio-economically deprived in the country). No area units had an average
deprivation score of 2, but Taradale North and Meeanee averaged out as decile 3.
Personal income
In 2006, Napier City residents aged 15 years and over had a lower median personal
income than New Zealanders as a whole ($22,700 compared with $24,400). This resulted
from slightly larger proportions than nationally having incomes of $40,000 or less.
The lowest incomes of $10,000 or less were reported by 19% of Napier adults (21%
nationally), while 26% received between $10,001 and $20,000 (22% nationally). In
Napier, 17% of adults had incomes between $20,001 and $30,000 (15% nationwide), and
another 15% received between $30,001 and $40,000 (14% nationally).
Local / national differences were small in the income bands above $40,000. However, in
each case, the Napier proportion was smaller than the New Zealand-wide proportion.
Around 9% of the city’s adults had incomes between $40,001 and $50,000, another 9%
received between $50,001 and $70,000, and 5% received more than $70,000.
Personal income distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of people
aged 15 years and over
30
All New Zealand
Napier City
25
20
15
10
5
0
$10,000
and under
$10,001$20,000
$20,001$30,000
$30,001$40,000
$40,001$50,000
$50,001$70,000
$70,001$100,000
$100,001
and over
Personal income
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
As might be expected, there is considerable variation in personal income across Napier
area units. In 2006, the highest median personal incomes were recorded in Poraiti
($31,300), Bluff Hill ($29,700), Hospital Hill ($28,900), Westshore ($28,200), Bay View
($26,600), Meeanee ($26,000) and Onekawa West ($25,300). The remaining 14 area
units in the city had median personal incomes below the national median. Napier’s lowest
medians were recorded in Maraenui ($15,400), Onekawa South ($19,200), Marewa
($19,400), and Onekawa Central ($20,900).
Family income
The distribution of family income follows a similar pattern. In 2006, Napier families had
a median income of $52,500 compared with $59,000 across New Zealand. While the
proportion of families with incomes of $20,000 or less was the same in Napier as
nationally (10%), higher-than-average proportions of families in the city had incomes
between $20,001 and $70,000 (15% were in the $20,001-$30,000 bracket, 22% received
$30,001-$50,000 and 20% had incomes between $50,001 and $70,000). Both locally and
nationally, 18% of families received between $70,001 and $100,000. The largest
difference between families in Napier and families nationwide occurred in the highest
income bracket (15% of families in the city had incomes over $100,000 compared with
21% of families across the country).
Family income distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of families
25
All New Zealand
Napier City
20
15
10
5
0
$20,000 or less
$20,001 - $30,000
$30,001 - $50,000
$50,001 - $70,000
$70,001 - $100,000
$100,001 or more
Family income
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
In 2006, Napier area units showed wide variation in family incomes. By far the highest
median family income was recorded in Poraiti ($81,500). That was followed by Hospital
Hill ($70,100), Bluff Hill ($67,300) and Meeanee ($65,100). The city’s lowest median
family incomes were recorded in Maraenui ($30,700), Onekawa South ($39,900),
Marewa ($40,000), Mclean Park ($45,000), Onekawa Central ($47,000), Tamatea North
($47,900), Nelson Park ($48,300) and Pirimai ($48,900).
Income support
People aged 65 years and over
At the end of February 2010, around 9,010 Napier City residents5 aged 65 years and over
were in receipt of New Zealand Superannuation.6 This number was around 450 higher
than two years earlier. Of those New Zealand Superannuitants in 2010, around 2,290
were also receiving a Disability Allowance and almost 470 were in receipt of an
Accommodation Supplement.
People aged 20 to 64 years
At the end of February 2010, around 6,170 Napier residents aged 20-64 years were in
receipt of some form of income support. The largest client groups among this age group
in Napier were:
 almost 1,740 DPB Sole Parent7 recipients (28% of the total) – almost 200 more
than in February 2008
 around 1,340 Invalid’s Beneficiaries (22%) – a rise of just over 110 over the
previous two years
 around 960 Non Beneficiaries8 (16%) – around 110 more than in 2008
 almost 910 Sickness Benefit9 recipients (15%) – around 100 more than two years
earlier
 a little under 620 Unemployment Benefit10 recipients (10%) – around 480 more
than in 2008. This was the benefit type to show the largest increase over the two
years, reflecting a nationwide increase in unemployment due to the recession.
5
The statistics included in this section have been produced by the geocoding of MSD client addresses. The
figures represent all clients who lived within Napier City boundaries at the end of February 2008, 2009 or
2010. This method of assigning a geographic location to a client based on their address is different from the
method used to produce figures for many of the other LSM reports. These earlier reports relied on
identifying service centres within territorial authority boundaries and assigning a geographic location to
clients with claims managed in those relevant service centres.
6
New Zealand Superannuation is not income tested for recipients aged 65 years and over. Supplementary
benefits (eg Accommodation Supplement, Disability Allowance) are, however, subject to an income test, so
their receipt indicates clients with low incomes.
7
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
8
Non Beneficiaries are low-income people who are not receiving an income-tested benefit or a pension
from Work and Income, but who do receive a Work and Income supplementary benefit (eg an
Accommodation Supplement, a Childcare Subsidy).
9
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
10
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
Income support recipients aged 20-64 years by main benefit type, end of February 2008, 2009 and 2010:
Napier City
Number
2,000
2008
1,800
2009
2010
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
DPB Sole Parent
Invalid's Benefit
Non Beneficiary
Sickness Benefit
Unemployment Benefit
Type of benefit
Source: Ministry of Social Development
At the end of February 2010, Napier’s income support recipients aged 20-64 years were
responsible for 5,025 children, of whom almost 3,060 lived in families receiving the DPB
Sole Parent11. Of those DPB recipients with children:
 50% had youngest children aged under 5 years
 26% had youngest children aged 5 to 9 years
 14% had youngest children aged between 10 and 13 years, and
 10% had youngest children aged 14 and over.
People aged under 20 years
At the end of February 2010, around 380 Napier City teenagers were receiving some
form of income support, including supplementary benefits. That figure was almost 120
more than in 2008.
 Just over one-quarter (26%) of Napier’s income support recipients aged under 20
(around 100 teenagers) were in receipt of the DPB Sole Parent.11 This was around
25 more than in 2008.
 One-quarter (25%) were receiving the Unemployment Benefit.12 That was a very
large increase of around 90 on the number two years earlier.
 Almost 50 teenagers were receiving the Sickness Benefit13 (13%) – a similar
number to each of the two previous years.
 Just over 40 teenage income support recipients (12%) were Non Beneficiaries –
around 20 more than in 2008.
 11% (around 40 people) were in receipt of an Invalid’s Benefit – around 20 fewer
than in 2008.
11
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
12
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
13

8% (30 teenagers) were receiving the Independent Youth Benefit – a small rise on
each of the two previous years.
Between them, Napier’s teenage income support recipients had around 120 children in
February 2010, of whom almost 110 were in families receiving the DPB Sole Parent14.
Household facilities
In 2006, the percentages of Napier City households with access to a telephone, the
Internet, or a vehicle were all slightly lower than nationally.
 91% had a telephone (92% nationally)
 72% had access to a cell phone or mobile phone (74% nationally)
 56% had Internet access (61% nationwide), and
 91% had access to a motor vehicle (92% nationwide).
Napier’s youth were less likely than their counterparts across the country to live in
households with access to the Internet. In 2006, 69% of the city’s 12-14 year-olds, 67%
of 15-19 year-olds and 53% of 20-24 year-olds had Internet access at home. Nationally
the proportions were 71%, 68% and 61% respectively.
Educational qualifications
Napier’s adult population holds fewer qualifications than nationally. In 2006:
 29% of the city’s adults had no formal educational qualification (25% nationwide)
 33% stated school qualifications as their highest educational attainment (35%
nationwide)
 27% held post-school certificates or diplomas (24% nationally)
 8% had a bachelor’s degree or other level 7 qualification (11% nationally), and
 3% held post-graduate qualifications (5% nationally).
Highest educational qualification, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of people
aged 15 years and over
40
All New Zealand
35
Napier City
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
No qualification
School
qualification
Post-school
certificate
or diploma
Type of qualification
14
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
Bachelor Degree
Post-graduate
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Employment
At the time of the 2006 Census, around 27,560 Napier City residents were employed.
This was 64% of the population aged 15 and over (65% nationally). Three-quarters (75%)
of the city’s employed residents worked full time (77% nationally).
The 2006 Census recorded 4.8% of the Napier City labour force as unemployed, around
the same as the 5.1% national average at the time. In March 2006, this equated to 1,380
people unemployed in the city.
Napier’s youth were more likely to be in the labour force in 2006 than their counterparts
across the country. Around 24% of 15-19 year-olds and 61% of 20-24 year-olds were
recorded as working full time by the 2006 Census, compared with 21% and 53%
respectively nationwide. Another 32% of 15-19 year-olds and 13% of 20-24 year-olds
were working part time (26% and 16% nationally). Around 10% of Napier’s 15-19 yearolds and 7% of the 20-24 year-olds were unemployed at the time of the Census – the
same proportions as nationally.
Industry
In 2006, Napier’s main industries for employment were the same as across New Zealand.
The proportions of workers employed by each industry locally varied by just 1 or 2
percentage points from nationally.
 Manufacturing was Napier’s largest employer (13% of all employed residents
compared with 12% nationwide).
 The retail trade accounted for 12% of the city’s employed residents (10%
nationally).
 Health care and social assistance employed 10% locally and 9% nationwide.
 The construction industry accounted for 9% of Napier’s employed and 8% across
the country.
 Education and training followed with 7% of all employed (8% nationally).
 Accommodation and food services also employed 7% (6% nationally).
 Professional, scientific and technical services accounted for 6% (8% nationwide).
 Agriculture, forestry and fishing also employed 6% (7% across the country).
Main industries for employment, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Industry
Other services
Napier City
All New Zealand
Transport, postal and w arehousing
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Accommodation and food services
Education and training
Construction
Health care and social assistance
Retail trade
Manufacturing
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Percent of employed people
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The main industries employing Napier’s youth were also similar to nationally. In 2006,
the city’s employed 15-19 year-olds were most likely to be working in the retail trade
(30%) or accommodation and food services (24%). The next largest employers of that
age group were manufacturing (9%), construction (7%) and agriculture, forestry and
fishing (6%). Those same industries were also the main sources of employment for the
city’s 20-24 year-olds: retail trade and manufacturing (14% each), accommodation and
food services (13%), and construction (12%).
Occupation
The distribution of occupations across Napier City’s employed residents differs a little
from New Zealand as a whole. Napier has comparatively fewer managers and
professionals among its employed residents but more labourers. At the 2006 Census:
 professionals were the largest occupation group in the city’s population, making
up 18% of all employed (20% across the country)
 managers – the category to which farmers are now allocated – accounted for 15%
of the city’s employed (18% across New Zealand)
 labourers were 14% locally and 12% nationally
 technicians and trades workers also made up 14% locally (13% nationally)
 clerical and administrative workers made up 13% both in the city and nationwide
 sales workers accounted for 10% of the city’s employed, the same as nationally
 community and personal service workers also accounted for 10% of all employed
compared with 8% nationwide
 machinery operators and drivers were close to their national proportion (7%
versus 6%).
Occupations, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of
employed people
25
All New Zealand
Napier City
20
15
10
5
0
Managers
Professionals
Technicians and
Trades Workers
Community and
Personal Service
Workers
Clerical and
Administrative
Workers
Sales Workers
Machinery Operators
and Drivers
Labourers
Occupation type
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
In 2006, sales work was the most common occupation of the city’s employed 15-19 yearolds (31%), followed by labouring (29%), community and personal service work (13%)
and technical and trades work (11%). Those were also the most common occupations of
that age group nationally. Napier’s 20-24 year-olds were most likely to be employed as
technicians and trades workers (22%), labourers (20%), community and personal service
workers (13%), and professionals or sales workers (12% each). Compared with the
employment pattern of that age group nationally, Napier’s 20-24 year-olds were more
likely to be working as technicians and trades workers or labourers, and less likely to be
employed as sales workers or professionals.
Location of work
In the 2006 Census, around 17,230 employed Napier City residents (74% of those who
gave an identifiable workplace address) lived and worked in the same city. Nearby
Hastings District was the next most popular work location, absorbing almost one-quarter
(23%) of Napier’s employed residents. Much smaller proportions (less than 1%) worked
in Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa Districts.
Main locations of employment for Napier City residents, 2006
Location of employment
Napier City
Hastings District
Central Hawke’s Bay District
Wairoa District
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Number of
Napier City
residents employed
17,229
5,253
126
42
In 2006, 21,600 people were employed within Napier City’s boundaries. As well as the
17,230 workers sourced locally, Napier attracted 3,860 workers from Hastings District
and 120 from Central Hawke’s Bay District.
Travel to work
As was the case with workers across New Zealand, driving a private vehicle was by far
the single most popular way for Napier City residents to travel to work on Census day
2006. Over half (55%) of employed Napier residents, and 51% of workers nationwide,
drove a private vehicle to their workplace. Another 13% locally and 11% nationally
drove a work vehicle. A smaller-than-average 6% of Napier’s employed worked at home
(9% nationally), but the proportions using other methods of travel were similar to the
country as a whole: 5% were passengers in vehicles and another 5% walked or jogged.
Percent of
employed people
Main means of travel to work, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
60
All New Zealand
Napier City
50
40
30
20
10
0
Drove a private car, truck Drove a company car, truck
or van
or van
Did not go to w ork on
Census Day
Worked at home
Passenger in a car, truck,
van or company bus
Walked or jogged
Main means of travel to work
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Hours of work
At the 2006 Census, the hours worked by Napier City residents were very similar to those
worked by all employed across the country. Napier residents were around as likely to
work full time as all workers (77% of workers living in the city and 78% across New
Zealand worked 30 or more hours per week).
Around 13% of employed people in the city worked between 30 and 39 hours. The most
common hours of work were between 40 and 49 per week (42% of all employed). A little
over 12% worked between 50 and 59 hours and 9% of all employed Napier residents did
60 or more hours of work per week.
Housing
Tenure
Napier City has a very similar home ownership rate to the country as a whole. In 2006,
the city was home to around 21,450 households living in private dwellings. Around 56%
of them owned the dwelling in which they lived (55% nationally), and another 12% had
their homes held in a family trust, the same proportion as across the country. The
remaining 32% of Napier households did not own their dwelling (33% nationally).
As might be expected, the tenure circumstances of Napier’s youth population vary by age
group. In 2006, 54% of the city’s 12-14 year-olds lived in dwellings owned or partly
owned by the occupants. This reduced slightly to 52% of 15-19 year-olds and fell more
sharply for the next age group (34% of 20-24 year-olds). All those proportions were close
to their national equivalents. Living in a property not owned by its occupants was the
norm for 35% of the city’s 12-14 year-olds, 38% of 15-19 year-olds and 59% of 20-24
year-olds. Across New Zealand, the equivalent proportions were 34%, 37% and 58%.
Sector of landlord
As is the situation around the country, Napier renters are reliant on the private sector for
the large majority of rented homes in the city. At the 2006 Census, 75% of the city’s
rented properties were owned privately compared with 82% nationally. Another 19%
were Housing New Zealand Corporation properties (13% nationwide). Around 5% of
rented properties in the city were owned by the city council (3% nationwide). The final
1% was owned by other government agencies (2% nationally).
State housing
At the end of 2009, Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) managed 1,478
properties in Napier City. Three-bedroom properties made up 44%, with another 40%
having two bedrooms. Three area units contained the large bulk of the city’s State
houses:
 Maraenui – 388 properties or 26% of the city’s State housing stock
 Marewa – 369 properties (25% of the total), and
 Onekawa South – 321 properties (22%)
At the end of 2009, around 290 people were on HNZC’s waiting list in the Napier
neighbourhood unit15. The largest number of applicants (110) were waiting for onebedroom properties while another 95 wanted two bedrooms and 51 wanted threebedroom properties. In December 2009, around 20 Napier applicants were housed by
HNZC, and around 80 applicants exited the list without being placed in a HNZC
property.
Rents
The 2006 Census showed that, overall, Napier City rents were lower than the country as a
whole. The city recorded a mean weekly rent of $193 compared with $225 nationally,
and a median weekly rent of $191 ($201 across the country).
More recent data from Tenancy Services shows that three-bedroom houses are the most
popular type of rental property in the city. In the six months ending February 2010,
average weekly rents for a property of this type were $304 in Napier and $323 in
15
HNZC boundaries do not necessarily match with local government boundaries. The Corporation operates
within a series of neighbourhood units, of which Napier is one.
Taradale / Awatoto. Nationally, across all three-bedroom houses for which bonds were
received over the six months, weekly rent averaged $324.
Accommodation Supplement (AS)
At the end of February 2010, around 4,910 Napier City residents16 were being paid the
Accommodation Supplement – an increase of around 1,070 on the number paid two years
earlier. In 2010, the main groups of Accommodation Supplement recipients in Napier
were:

almost 1,360 DPB Sole Parent recipients17 (28% of all Accommodation
Supplement recipients in the city) – a rise of around 220 on February 2008
around 920 Non Beneficiaries (19%) – around 130 more than in 2008
almost 680 Sickness Beneficiaries18 (14%) – 80 more than in 2008
just under 670 Invalid’s Beneficiaries (also 14%) – around 70 more than two
years earlier
around 560 Unemployment Beneficiaries19 (11%) –around 470 more than in
2008. This reflects a large increase in unemployment across the country.
Around 470 New Zealand Superannuitants (10%) – an increase of around 50 on
the 2008 figure.





Accommodation Supplement recipients by main benefit, end of February 2008, 2009 and 2010:
Napier City
Number
1,600
2008
2009
1,400
2010
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
DPB Sole Parent
Non Beneficiary
Sickness Benefit
Invalid's Benefit
Unemployment Benefit
New Zealand Superannuation
Type of benefit
Source: Ministry of Social Development
16
The statistics included in this section have been produced by the geocoding of MSD client addresses. The
figures represent all clients who lived within Napier City boundaries at the end of February 2008, 2009 or
2010. This method of assigning a geographic location to a client based on their address is different from the
method used to produce figures for many of the other LSM reports. These earlier reports relied on
identifying service centres within territorial authority boundaries and assigning a geographic location to
clients with claims managed in those relevant service centres.
17
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
18
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
19
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
In February 2010, 6% of the Accommodation Supplement recipients in Napier City were
under the age of 20 years, 84% were aged 20-64 years, and 10% were aged 65 or over.
Around 63% of AS recipients were in rented accommodation, 22% were boarding and the
remaining 14% owned their own home.
Education
Early Childhood Education
At 1 July 2009, there were around 2,800 children20 on the regular rolls of licensed early
childhood education service providers in Napier City. Excluding the small number of
enrolments of 5 year-olds, this was 70% of the estimated number of children aged 0 to 4
years – a considerably higher proportion than the 59% across New Zealand.
At each single year of age, the proportion of Napier City children regularly enrolled in
early childhood education was higher than the national proportion. The difference was
largest among 2 year-olds (an estimated 73% of that age group in Napier compared with
57% nationally), but the gap was also considerable among 1, 3 and 4 year-olds.
As was the case nationally, children aged 3 and 4 made up the bulk of early childhood
education enrolments in Napier (28% and 31% respectively). There were more 3 and 4
year-olds on the regular rolls of early childhood education providers in the city than
Statistics New Zealand estimated were resident in mid-2009. This indicates that some
children may have been registered with more than one provider, or children from outside
the city were on the regular rolls of Napier providers.
Proportion of children enrolled in early childhood education by age, mid-2009:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of children
in each age group
120
All New Zealand
Napier City
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
Age of child (years)
Source: Ministry of Education
20
Early childhood education statistics count enrolments and not children. It is possible for one child to be
enrolled in two services at the same time and be counted twice.
In mid-2009, early childhood education in Napier was dominated by two types of
licensed provider: education and care centres21 and free kindergartens. These were also
the two largest providers nationally. Napier City’s 28 education and care centres
accounted for 44% of the city’s regular enrolments (56% nationwide), while the city’s 13
free kindergartens had 28% of regular enrolments (22% nationally).
Three types of provider accounted for the city’s remaining enrolments. Nine homebased
networks had 16%, twice the national proportion. Eleven Kōhanga Reo were together
responsible for 7% (5% nationwide), while the final 4% belonged to the city’s four
Playcentres (8% nationally).
Early childhood education enrolments by type of service, mid-2009:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of enrolments
60
All New Zealand
Napier City
50
40
30
20
10
0
Education and care service
Kindergarten
Homebased service
Te Kōhanga Reo
Playcentre
Type of service
Source: Ministry of Education
Napier City schools
Napier City contains five full primary schools, 16 contributing schools (offering
education up to intermediate school), one special school (for students with intellectual
impairments), three intermediate schools, two composite schools (combining primary,
intermediate and secondary schooling), one teen parent unit and seven secondary schools
offering education up to year 15. In July 2009, the roll totals of these schools were as
follows.
21
Education and Care Centres provide either sessional, all-day, or flexible hour programmes for children
from birth to school age. They can be privately owned, non-profit making, or operated as an adjunct to the
main purpose of a business or organisation.
Number of Napier City schools by type and rolls,
2009
School Type
Full primary
Contributing
Intermediate
Special
Composite schools
Teen parent unit
Secondary
Number of
Schools
5
16
3
1
2
1
7
Years
Rolls
1–8
1–6
7–8
858
4,230
1,299
74
257
40
4,445
11,203
7 or 9 – 15
Source: Ministry of Education
For funding purposes the Ministry of Education attaches a decile rating22 to each school.
This indicates the extent to which a school draws its students from low socio-economic
communities. Decile 1 schools are the 10% of schools with the highest proportion of
students from low socio-economic communities, whereas decile 10 schools are the 10%
of schools with the lowest proportion of these students.
In July 2009, six Napier schools were in decile 1 and three more were assessed as being
in decile 2. Between them, those nine schools (described as among the 20% of New
Zealand schools with the highest proportions of students from low socio-economic
communities) were responsible for 17% of the city’s students. At the other end of the
scale, two schools were in decile 10 and one was in decile 9. Between them, those three
schools (assessed as among the 20% of New Zealand schools with the lowest proportions
of students from low socio-economic communities) had just 7% of the city’s students on
their rolls.
Truancy
In August 2006, the Ministry of Education surveyed all state and state integrated schools
to capture student attendance and absence over one week.23 The survey showed that
Napier has a lower truancy rate than the country as a whole. All but one type of school in
the survey (primary, contributing, intermediate, composite schools and secondary schools
offering year 9-15 education) recorded lower truancy rates in Napier than nationally.
However, secondary schools offering year 7-15 education recorded a truancy rate of 10%,
22
From 1 January 2005, five factors have been used in determining a school's socio-economic indicator:
household income, parents' occupations, household crowding, parents' educational qualifications, and
parents receiving income support. These are based on families with school-age children within the
catchment area of the school.
23
The survey achieved a 91% response rate among schools, representing 92% of the student population in
all state and state integrated schools. During the week under study, schools classified absences into
justified, unjustified and intermittent unjustified. Truancy was defined as the sum of the last two categories,
and a truancy rate was calculated as the average (mean) daily unjustified absence for the week per 100
students.
twice the national rate at that type of school. Overall, Napier City had a truancy rate of
3.2% compared with the national average of 4.1%.
Truancy rates, 2006:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Truancy rate (%)
12
All New Zealand
Napier City
10
8
6
4
2
0
Full primary
Contributing
Intermediate
Composite
Secondary (year 7-15)
Secondary (year 9-15)
Total
Type of school
Source: Ministry of Education
Stand downs and suspensions
Schools have a variety of methods available to deal with student behaviour, and stand
downs and suspensions are just two of the choices available. Both are seen as a last resort
when other options have proved unsuccessful, and only a small number of schools in any
territorial authority stand down or suspend students in any one year.
From 2000 to 2008, the number of stand downs from Napier City schools fluctuated from
a low of 330 in 2002 to 445 in 2006. In each of the nine years, the city’s stand down rate
was higher than the national rate. In 2006, it reached a peak of 40 stand down cases per
1,000 students compared with 31 per 1,000 nationally. In most other years, the difference
was not as marked. Most recently, in 2008, Napier recorded a stand down rate of 32 cases
per 1,000 students compared with 29 per 1,000 nationally. Over the nine years from 2000
to 2008, the most common reasons for stand downs in Napier were continual
disobedience (30%) physical assaults on other students (23%) and verbal assaults on staff
(14%).
The number of suspensions is generally far lower than stand downs. From 2000 to 2008,
Napier schools had between around 70 and 120 suspension cases each year. The lowest
total of 68 was recorded in 2002 (a rate of 6 suspension cases per 1,000 students
compared with 7 per 1,000 nationally). The highest total of 117 was recorded in 2008
(producing a rate of 10 suspension cases per 1,000 students compared with the national
rate of 6 per 1,000). Continual disobedience (33%) and drugs (32%) were the two main
reasons for suspension in Napier. Physical assaults on other students were responsible for
14%.
Exclusions and expulsions
Following a suspension, a school’s Board of Trustees can lift the suspension (with or
without conditions), extend the suspension (with conditions), or terminate the student's
enrolment at the school. If the student is aged under 16, the board may decide to exclude
him or her from the school, with the requirement that the student enrols elsewhere. If the
student is aged 16 or over, the board may decide to expel him or her from the school, and
the student may enrol at another school.
In the nine years from 2000 to 2008, 40 exclusion cases were recorded, on average, in
Napier each year. Continual disobedience was the main reason for exclusion (42%),
followed by drugs (25%) and physical assault on other students or staff (18%).
Expulsions are much rarer, generally with fewer than five recorded across the city’s
schools each year.
School leavers with little or no formal attainment24
In the years from 1993 to 2008, the proportion of students leaving Napier secondary
schools with little or no formal attainment fluctuated above and below the national
average. More often than not, in the 1990s, the Napier proportion was higher than
nationally, whereas in recent years it has tended to be lower than average. Over the last
few years, both the city and national rates have dropped as more students have been
attaining qualifications under NCEA and efforts have been made to reduce early leaving
exemptions. Most recently, in 2008, 5% of Napier students left school with little or no
formal attainment – the same proportion as nationally.
Students leaving secondary school with little or no formal attainment, 1993-2008:
All New Zealand and Napier City
Percent of school leavers
30
All New Zealand
Napier City
25
20
15
10
5
0
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
Source: Ministry of Education
24
3.
Since the introduction of NCEA, this has included people with fewer than 14 credits NCEA Level 1, 2 or
Early leaving exemptions
Between 2000 and 2006, the number of early leaving exemptions granted to students
from schools in Napier City averaged 61 annually. In 2007, the number dropped to 20
and in 2008, it fell again to 17. Over the nine-year period, 83% of all exempted students
left school to begin a training provider course, 14% left for full-time employment, and the
remaining 3% left school to enrol in polytechnic courses.
Tertiary destinations
In all but one of the years, the proportion of students who left a Napier secondary school
from 2000 to 2007 and went straight on to tertiary education the following year was
lower than the national average. The difference between the local and national
proportions ranged from 1 to 6 percentage points. Most recently, 48% of the students who
left Napier City schools in 2007 went straight on to enrol in tertiary education and
training the following year, compared with 53% nationally.
Percent of previous
year's school leavers
Previous year's school leavers enrolling in tertiary study, 2001-2008:
All New Zealand and Napier City
60
All New Zealand
Napier City
50
40
30
20
10
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year of first tertiary enrolment
Source: Ministry of Education
Napier school leavers who head straight into tertiary education tend to make similar
choices to nationally. Nationwide, between 2001 and 2008, the largest proportions of
first-year tertiary enrolments by people who left school the year before were at
universities (48%), followed by polytechnics (32%) and private training establishments
(18%). The first-year tertiary enrolments of Napier school leavers reflected a similar
pattern, except universities claimed a smaller share of the total (40)%, polytechnics
attracted 38% of the enrolments, and private training establishments 20%. Over the eight
years, wānanga attracted 1%.
Particular tertiary institutions stood out as attracting students from Napier schools City.
Of the 1,390 first-year university enrolments by young people who left Napier schools
between 2000 and 2007, 42% were at Victoria University of Wellington, Massey
University attracted 23% and the University of Otago 13%. Of the 1,300 first-year
polytechnic / institute of technology enrolments by Napier school leavers over the eight
years, 70% were at the Eastern Institute of Technology.